Invisalign: Three Important Things to Consider

Invisalign is one of the hot topics in the dental world these days. The reasons are obvious. This alternative to braces offers patients some things that the traditional metal brackets never did. One, they are much less noticeable than traditional braces. Instead of worrying about what you look like, you can relax and enjoy the process of obtaining the straight teeth you always wanted. Two, they can be taken out at any time. This proves an especially charming feature when meal time rolls around. Unlike with braces, there are no restrictions on what you can eat (as long as you take the aligners out of your mouth first). Of course, things aren't all rosy. Here are three important considerations.

Cavities

Even under the best of circumstances, you should always be vigilant about your dental care and striving to avoid cavities. When you are going through the Invisalign process, it is even more important that you pay close attention to your oral health. Most dental experts advise not only taking out your aligners during meal times, but not replacing them until you've brushed and flossed. Because your teeth are, in a sense, trapped away from your saliva, it can make the effects of food and soda that much more insidious. With careful oral care, however, you can easily make up for it.

Traditional Braces

Invisalign products act as a wonderful opportunity for many people who can't stand the thought of spending two years with a mouthful of metal. Having said that, this alternative may not be right for you. While they are equal to or better than braces in many respects, there are areas where they may fall short. One such area is time. Sometimes the process takes longer than it would with traditional braces. This is often the case when the patient does not wear the aligners as directed. On the other hand, there are benefits beyond aesthetics. Fewer office visits and the ability to complete a great deal of the treatment on your own are two such advantages.

Dentist

If you want traditional braces, you'll need to seek out the care of an orthodontist. Invisalign, however, is offered by many regular family dentists. If you hate the thought of letting anyone else mess with your teeth, this could serve as a very important benefit. It should also be noted that going through a dentist is usually going to be cheaper than going through an orthodontist, so there is the financial factor to consider as well.